🍷✨ Wine & Dine 10K — “Embrace the Race”- Part 3

Mai Smith-Trau
Nov 15, 2025
3 min read

📍 Walt Disney World Resort — November 2025

Started in the morning with long sleeves

At the Wine & Dine Race Weekend, there’s a challenge where you can run all three races—the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon—over one weekend. I’ll be honest: doing that as your first race weekend is absolutely wild… but yep, we did it.

My husband didn’t do the full challenge this time (he’s already regretting that decision), but after this experience, we decided we’ll be doing the challenges from now on. I’ve got to say though, I’m so envious of youth. My daughter didn’t train at all and somehow completed all three races like it was no big deal. Meanwhile, I was over here stretching, breathing heavy, and clutching my Honey Stingers for dear life. 😅

🏃‍♀️ The 10K: A Step Up, But Still Magical

Running the 10K (6.2 miles) was definitely a step up from the 5K. But it wasn’t impossible! I had been training for 5Ks over the months—just not consistently like my husband—so the jump to 10K was doable, even with my less-than-perfect prep.

The key difference?👉 This race has Balloon Ladies.

So yes, this one is timed and you’ll need to keep an eye on your pace.

🎈 The Balloon Ladies & The Real Sweepers

There’s always a lot of talk about the Balloon Ladies, and honestly—they’re legends. They’re there as a visual pace marker, keeping roughly a 16-minute mile. The big misconception is that they are the ones who sweep you.

Surprise—it’s actually the bicycle guys! 🚴‍♀️

When the sweep is happening, a line of bikes forms across the track and redirects runners to the buses. Those aren’t the fun Disney parade buses… those are the “you’re done” buses. So if you see them coming, it’s time to move your tushy! 🏃‍♀️💨

There weren’t pacers in the 10K like in the half, so keeping your own rhythm really matters here.

🍬 Race Day Tips from a “Learning as I Go” Runner

I’ve learned a lot between the Villains Run and this one. Here are my top takeaways:

1. Snacks are your best friend. Bring something easy to chew. I really like Honey Stingers, but they dry my mouth, so next time I’ll try the gel packs. The gummies they handed out were way too sticky for me.

2. Hydration is handled. They had plenty of water and Gatorade stops, so you can skip carrying your own bottle unless you prefer it.

3. Stretch, stretch, stretch. Do it before, after, and even during the race if you can. Trust me—your legs will thank you.

4. Hot Jacuzzi = recovery magic. We stayed at a hotel with a jacuzzi, and that was the best decision ever. After the race, we soaked for 30 minutes, relaxed, and talked about what worked and what didn’t.

5. Train just enough to bump up your corral. That extra 15–20 minutes of lead time can make a huge difference (lesson learned from the Villains run).

Crossing the finish line with no Balloon Ladies in site!

🏅 Race Etiquette: Be Kind, Be Aware

RunDisney is a community, and everyone’s there to have fun—but remember to be courteous!

Use hand signals when slowing or moving over.
Be aware of runners around you.
Don’t dart across the course to grab that last-second selfie with Chewie!
Think of it like driving: faster runners to the left, slower to the right.

My shirt that I got on Etsy and showing the amazing Medals

🌟 Final Thoughts

The Wine & Dine 10K was such a fun race. It wasn’t too stressful, the atmosphere was amazing, and the energy from the crowd and the runners made it unforgettable.

It’s totally doable with minimal training, and the extra medal makes it so worth it.

Take your time, soak up the magic, and most of all—embrace the race. Because it flies by faster than you think. 💖